A 38-year-old suspect remained in custody Friday after allegedly attempting to flee a traffic stop at nearly 100 mph in Indian Wells.
According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, a motorcycle deputy tried to stop a vehicle shortly before 5:30 a.m. Thursday near the intersection of Fred Waring Drive and Cook Street, but the driver sped away and headed westbound in the eastbound lanes of Fred Waring Drive at Portola Avenue.
The deputy later located the vehicle in the 44500 block of San Pascual Avenue in Palm Desert, according to a department statement.
After deputies surrounded the residence and requested occupants to exit for “several hours” without response, they obtained a search warrant and enlisted the Special Enforcement Bureau for assistance, authorities said.
Around 1:20 p.m., deputies reported locating and arresting an “uncooperative” suspect, identified as Palm Desert resident Paul Claudio Piermartiri, sheriff’s officials said. He was taken into custody with the help of a K-9 unit.
Deputies allegedly found an unregistered firearm and ammunition during a search of the premises.
Piermartiri was booked into the John Benoit Detention Center without bail on suspicion of felony evading, resisting or delaying an officer, two firearms possession-related charges and violating Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) terms, according to the department.
Inmate records indicate that he is scheduled to appear at the Larson Justice Center for an arraignment on Tuesday.
Anyone with information regarding this incident was encouraged to call Deputy Ju Yoo at the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station at 760-836-1600.